Get Local: Your weekend begins here with the latest headlines!
What's up in the Finger Lakes? We have the latest on an expected heatwave, update on a deadly incident, new info on the potential dissolution of an Ontario Co. fire department, and more!
Some Geneva residents voice concern over $38M housing project
A proposed $38 million housing project in downtown Geneva by Lakeview Health Services is drawing concern from local residents and business owners. The 74-unit development would include affordable and mental health housing, along with office space. Critics say the project is too large for the site, lacks sufficient parking, and could strain downtown resources. In response, the Planning Board extended the public hearing and Lakeview indicated a willingness to adjust the plan.
Finger Lakes Forecast: The heat is here. Stay safe.
A dangerous heat wave is impacting Upstate New York, prompting a heat advisory from Sunday through Tuesday with heat index values expected to reach 104 degrees. The National Weather Service is warning of increased risk for heat-related illnesses and urging residents to stay hydrated, avoid direct sun, and check on vulnerable individuals. The oppressive heat, driven by a high-pressure system, may break records and will be accompanied by a risk of severe storms, including damaging winds and hail. Relief may come Tuesday with a frontal boundary expected to bring cooler temperatures and more thunderstorms.
Fast 5: What’s happening in the Finger Lakes?
A domestic dispute in the village of Addison ended in tragedy Friday morning when a 45-year-old man fatally shot another man before taking his own life. The violence began at a residence on Academy Street, where the suspect confronted a woman and her partner, later returning to kill the 41-year-old man. He fled the scene, crashed his vehicle, and was later found dead in a wooded area from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. Authorities say the woman was unharmed, and there is no ongoing threat to the public.
Cayuga County and other New York counties are calling on the state to speed up the transfer of “state-ready” inmates from local jails to state prisons. Delays caused by a correction officer strike and staffing shortages have left over 2,400 inmates in county facilities, up from just 200 previously. Sheriff Brian Schenck says the overcrowding strains local resources and far exceeds the state's $100 daily reimbursement. While the state resumed transfers this spring, counties warn the ongoing backlog remains unsustainable.
The Fishers Fire District in Victor is considering dissolving, raising concerns about emergency response coverage in the area. A public hearing is scheduled for July 16, though no final decision has been made. Former Fire Chief Dan Chapman criticized the proposal as rushed and warned it could compromise fire protection and raise insurance rates. If dissolved, neighboring departments may absorb coverage, while ambulance services would remain unchanged.
A pirate-themed tiki bar called Corsair’s Cove has opened at Hotel Canandaigua, replacing the former Bird Cage bar. The venue launched with a festive “Pirate Palooza” and features themed cocktails, food, and décor. Guests can enjoy lake views, live music on Wednesdays, and nearby art installations like the Ghost of Roseland. Designed to offer a playful twist on lakeside leisure, the bar aims to attract both hotel guests and local residents.
NYSEG and RG&E are urging customers with overdue utility bills to seek assistance as unpaid balances have soared past $200 million combined. The companies emphasized that unpaid costs ultimately impact all ratepayers, though they do not profit from supply charges. They offer programs like budget billing, deferred payment agreements, and monthly bill credits for eligible customers. With winter shutoff protections lifted in April, disconnections have resumed, but only after multiple outreach attempts.
